Plans for the redevelopment of the Foxhill Estate, including the re-provision of up to 700 homes, have been approved by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Development Management Committee.
The Committee yesterday voted in favour of the outline planning application, which includes the demolition of up to 542 dwellings, by the developer Curo Places Ltd, by a vote of 5 to 4.
Cllr Sally Davis (Conservative, Farmborough) Chair of the Development Management Committee, said: “We have carefully considered all of the information in the officer report, and having conducted a site visit and listened closely to the representations at today’s meeting, the Committee voted to approve the Curo Places redevelopment of the Foxhill Estate, subject to the conditions and legal agreement stated in the officer report.”
As this is an outline planning application, subsequent reserved matters will need to be prepared and submitted which will deal with the detailed design of each phase of development as it comes forward.
Further details on the outline planning application and the conditions for approval can be found here.
Combe Down Councillor, Cherry Beath, expressed her disappointment at the decision.
She commented: “I’m extremely disappointed by the decision today and the process leading up to it. I applaud all the residents who came to the meeting and those who spoke so passionately.
“Despite Curo’s consultations, and the residents’ groups who have been working hard to represent local people, a sizeable number of residents do not feel they have been really heard or have had effective input into the plans for Foxhill.
Furthermore, the site visit carried out by the planning committee was totally inadequate and will not have given Councillors a true picture of this application.
“I called for the Committee to defer consideration of this application to allow time for Curo to revise their plans and for a full site visit – including meeting with residents on both sides of the argument and viewing some of the properties in question – to be undertaken.
It is very disappointing that the Committee did not follow my advice.
“I recognise that there are differences of opinion amongst Foxhill residents many of whom are looking forward to the opportunity to move into a new, higher quality property and others who are deeply opposed to giving up homes they have lived in for years.
“The best solution for Foxhill in my view is a softer regeneration process, allowing for the replacement of those buildings which are not fit for purpose, whilst preserving much-loved, good homes, green spaces and the integrity of the community.
“I remain completely opposed to residents being forced to move against their will and the compulsory purchases of homes and I welcome Curo’s commitment to avoiding this.”